초록 ▼

The present invention relates to an aerial fire-fighting bucket. The bucket includes a base plate and a valve arrangement including at least one valve and a liner actuator. The base plate includes at least one aperture and the valve is arranged to block the aperture in a closed position and to allow

The present invention relates to an aerial fire-fighting bucket. The bucket includes a base plate and a valve arrangement including at least one valve and a liner actuator. The base plate includes at least one aperture and the valve is arranged to block the aperture in a closed position and to allow fluid to pass from within the bucket through the aperture when in an open position. The valve is arranged to be moved by the linear actuator generally transversely across an upper face of the base plate between the closed position and the open position of the valve to progressively reveal the aperture.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An aerial fire-fighting bucket comprising: a base plate and a valve arrangement comprising at least one valve and a linear actuator, the base plate comprising a least one aperture and the valve arranged to block the aperture in a closed position and to allow fluid to pass from within the bucket t

1. An aerial fire-fighting bucket comprising: a base plate and a valve arrangement comprising at least one valve and a linear actuator, the base plate comprising a least one aperture and the valve arranged to block the aperture in a closed position and to allow fluid to pass from within the bucket through the aperture when in an open position;a seal provided to establish a seal between the valve and the upper face of the base plate, arranged so that as the valve is moved generally transversely between the closed and open position, the valve is caused to lift away from the base plate so as to break the seal established between the valve and the upper face of the base plate,wherein the valve is arranged to be moved by the linear actuator generally transversely across an upper face of the base plate between the closed position and the open position of the valve to progressively reveal the aperture. 2. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 1, wherein the valve is configured so that as the valve is moved away from the closed position towards the fully open position, the valve clears at least a part of the aperture so that fluid flows through the aperture. 3. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a substantially flat plate sized and shaped to fully cover and block flow through the at least one aperture when the valve is in the closed position. 4. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 1, wherein at least one guide is mounted on the base plate and is configured to guide movement of the valve. 5. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 4, further comprising two guides and wherein the valve is arranged to move along a gap established between the two guides, with movement of the valve guided by contact with the guides. 6. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 1, wherein a cam face is provided to lift the valve away from the base plate as the valve is moved between the closed and open positions. 7. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is driven by an electrical arrangement, a pneumatic arrangement, or a hydraulic arrangement. 8. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 1, further comprising two valves, each valve arranged to block at least two apertures formed in the base plate. 9. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 1, further comprising a well wall arranged for connection to the base plate and arranged to be collapsible so as to be moveable between an in-use position where the well wall together with the base plate establish a well for holding fluid, and a storage position in which the well wall is collapsed and capable of being located substantially adjacent to the base plate. 10. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 9 further comprising a top ring and a bottom ring, the well wall being connected to both the top ring and the bottom ring. 11. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 10, wherein said at least one inflatable former comprises a length of hose joined end on end and connected to the side wall adjacent to the top ring. 12. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 11, wherein the hose is a lay flat hose. 13. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 9, wherein the well wall is made from a polyurethane sheet material. 14. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 1, configured to be connected to the aircraft so as to adopt a “belly tank” configuration. 15. An aerial fire-fighting bucket comprising: a base plate and a valve arrangement comprising at least one valve and a linear actuator, the base plate comprising a least one aperture and the valve arranged to block the aperture in a closed position and to allow fluid to pass from within the bucket through the aperture when in an open position;at least one inflatable former, said at least one former arranged to provide support to at least a part of the well wall when inflated so as to prevent that part of the well wall from collapsing towards the base platea well wall arranged for connection to the base plate and arranged to be collapsible so as to be moveable between an in-use position where the well wall together with the base plate establish a well for holding fluid, and a storage position in which the well wall is collapsed and capable of being located substantially adjacent to the base plate,wherein the valve is arranged to be moved by the linear actuator generally transversely across an upper face of the base plate between the closed position and the open position of the valve to progressively reveal the aperture. 16. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 15, wherein a seal is provided to establish a seal between the valve and the upper face of the base plate. 17. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 15, wherein the inflatable former extends substantially about an inner periphery of the well wall. 18. An aerial fire-fighting bucket according to claim 15, configured to be connected to the aircraft so as to adopt a “belly tank” configuration. 19. An aerial fire-fighting bucket comprising: a base plate and a valve arrangement comprising at least one valve and a linear actuator, the base plate comprising a least one aperture and the valve arranged to block the aperture in a closed position and to allow fluid to pass from within the bucket through the aperture when in an open position;a well wall arranged for connection to the base plate and arranged to be collapsible so as to be moveable between an in-use position where the well wall together with the base plate establish a well for holding fluid, and a storage position in which the well wall is collapsed and capable of being located substantially adjacent to the base plate;a top ring and a bottom ring, the well wall being connected to both the top ring and the bottom ring,wherein the base plate is arranged to sit on and be connected to an upper face of the bottom ring and wherein at least one tie is connected between the top and bottom rings so that load on the bottom plate is transferred to the at least one tie.